Putting too much rubbish in your bin could land you a £2,500 fine

Overfilling or leaving your bin out too long could land you a massive fine.

Councils across the country are threatening sanctions under anti social behaviour laws to try to boost recycling and cut down on waste.

Local authorities including Tameside in Greater Manchester, Stoke on Trent , Oxford, and Croydon are warning residents that Community Penalty Notices (CPN's) can be issued for a number of different waste related offences.

The offences include overfilling the bins , leaving bins and recycling boxes before 5pm or 7pm the on day of collection, producing more waste than recyclables or blocking the bin trucks with a car.

CPNs , which were introduced as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing act in 2014 , are usually to prevent anti-social behaviour. Usually served on noisy neighbours and vandals, CPN's reuired those issued with the notice to comply or face fines of up to £2,500 and criminal records.

A spokes person for Stoke on Trent Council, who have recently issued a number of warning letters, told the Daily Mail that the their "zero-tolerance approach" has been supported by local residents and that bins left out too long causes a 'severe inconvience' .

He also said that 'We appreciate the letter might come over as harsh but this is a legal warning informing people that their actions are causing a problem' .

It is not only families and households that may be subject to a CPN. Businesses who do not abide can face fines of upto £20,000.